I am a vascular plant systematist with broad interests in evolutionary biology and reproductive ecology, and a special emphasis on quantitative phylogenetics. Indeed, most of my research has a strong phylogenetic component. I have been involved in research focusing upon systematics, classification, evolution of pollination mechanisms, and quantitative change in corolla morphology, conservation, and floristics. Much of my recent research has concentrated on the Phlox family, Polemoniaceae. These studies have included comparative DNA sequence (e.g., nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, GapC, tpi, chas, chloroplast trnL intron, trnL-trnF intergenic spacer [IGS], trnS-trnG IGS, ndhF-trnL region, and mitochondrial nad1 intron), comparative morphological, palynological, and anatomical investigations, as well as pollination surveys. These comparative studies have been used to test hypotheses concerning evolution of pollination mechanisms and breeding systems, and hypotheses concerning the age and diversification of Polemoniaceae. This research has resulted in a new classification of the family, revision of Aliciella, revised classification of Ipomopsis (including phylogeny and age estimates), and a broad-scaled comparative and monographic study of Loeselia (in progress).

In addition to the Phlox family, I have continued research in the Cactus family, in collaboration with Jennifer Cruse Sanders, Charlie Butterworth, and Kenneth D. Heil. Our studies have centered on two cold-hardy genera of western United States, Sclerocactus and Pediocactus, and have included taxonomic, comparative morphological and DNA investigations. These studies have been used to address conservation issues, surrounding the rare members of Sclerocactus and Pediocactus.

It is my desire to integrate traditional systematic approaches (comparative anatomy, morphology, cytology, etc) and more modern methods (comparative DNA sequence, microsatellite and/or other genetic data) and bring these to bear on issues of adaptation, under the umbrella of common ancestry and phylogeny.